September 10, 2017 "GOING ASTRAY"

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH BASED ON ROMANS 10
We believe in God who in the beginning poured out grace, mercy, and love on every living creature and still does so, today.
God’s good word is ever near us, on our lips and written upon our hearts.
We believe that Jesus is the Lord of our lives. Our confession of faith in him is our salvation.
We believe that Jesus’ death on the cross was not his end, rather it was our beginning.
God raised him from the dead, as promised, the Christ to reign in us.
In Christ, there is no distinction between native or alien, male or female.
We believe that the same Lord is Lord of all, generous and gracious to all.
All who call upon the name of the Lord shall be redeemed.
We believe the Holy Spirit is poured out upon us from birth to death, and is eager to guide us through life’s maze of decisions and choices.
We believe in the Church; Christ’s body in the world.
For it is certain, that faith comes from what is heard about the Christ.
As disciples of Jesus, we are called to be and proclaim the good news as it is written:
“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.”
Amen!
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
O, most loving and eternal God, we are gathered here to glorify your name as one community of faith. You have done wondrous deeds throughout human history, and yet we are surprised when we realize you have been at work in the midst of us, inspiring us with great ideas, and placing new opportunities to serve you right in our path. We are loathe to confess our spiritual doubts, the ones that often confine us in a dark place mourning our losses and regretting our past. Beloved creator, empower each one of us to step out of that self-imposed dark place into the light of your redeeming presence. Open our hearts to the love that surrounds. Open our ears to hear your words of encouragement. Teach us the way of love and encouragement for all whose paths we cross. In the name of the Christ, we pray. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
Don’t you love looking into the face of a child who is looking up at you? Often their expression is one of awe and even delight at what they see. You may be making silly faces or funny sounds, all smiles and animation, and the child is simply entranced. He or she may smile or giggle as they watch your face fascinated by the performance you seem to have created just for them. Like the face of the child on the cover of the bulletin, Jesus calls each and every one of us, no matter our present age, to bear that same expression of awe and delight when we ponder the face of God and the kingdom heaven. Let us, like those infants who are so entranced by our efforts, appreciate God’s eternal efforts to bring a smile to our faces, and lead us into joy.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Wondrous and Eternal God, bless these tithes and offerings. We offer them with grateful hearts, trusting that you will guide us to use them wisely, for the edification of Christ’s church and the good of humanity. Jesus taught us that all things are possible with you. May all our work and all our efforts serve your will. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.

September 3, 2017 "LET LOVE BE GENUINE"

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH BASED ON ROMANS 10
We believe in God who in the beginning poured out grace, mercy, and love on every living creature and still does so, today.
God’s good word is ever near us, on our lips and written upon our hearts.
We believe that Jesus is the Lord of our lives. Our confession of faith in him is our salvation.
We believe that Jesus’ death on the cross was not his end, rather it was our beginning.
God raised him from the dead, as promised, the Christ to reign in us.
In Christ, there is no distinction between native or alien, male or female.
We believe that the same Lord is Lord of all, generous and gracious to all.
All who call upon the name of the Lord shall be redeemed.
We believe the Holy Spirit is poured out upon us from birth to death, and is eager to guide us through life’s maze of decisions and choices.
We believe in the Church; Christ’s body in the world.
For it is certain, that faith comes from what is heard about the Christ.
As disciples of Jesus, we are called to be and proclaim the good news as it is written:
“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.”
Amen!
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Glorious and ever loving God, it is wonderful to worship together, to sing our hymns of joy as we give thanks for your many blessings. Even in the midst of radical change we know you are with us, encouraging us, urging us to rest when our burdens seem too heavy to bear for even one more minute. When we are worn to a frazzle from doing and caring, searching and researching, proposing and planning, from working and serving, remind us, one more time, that the world wasn’t created in a day. Let us not be skittish about getting involved, fearing that only burdens come when we become a part of something. Inspire us to lend our hands, our ideas and hearts as we work together for your kingdom. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
In doing some research on the play Blithe Spirit by Noel Coward, I got curious about clairvoyants. The term clairvoyance comes from the French meaning clear vision and “is the alleged ability to gain information about an object, person, location or physical event through extrasensory perception.” ESP categorizes its extra senses as: Clairsentience (touch), Clairaudience (hearing), Clairolfactus (smelling), Clairgustance (tasting) and Claircognizance (knowing). The last of these extra sensory gifts is what some church folks hope their pastor possesses, that is, if she doesn’t have eyes in the back of her head. Here at PSUMC we thank God for giving us a clear vision of who we are, and we trust that God will always give us clear knowledge of who we will be as the body of Christ in the world.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Wondrous and Eternal God, bless these tithes and offerings. We offer them with grateful hearts, trusting that you will guide us to use them wisely, for the edification of Christ’s church and the good of humanity. Jesus taught us that all things are possible with you. May all our work and all our efforts serve your will. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.